Ella Langley Pays Tribute to Dolly Parton: ‘You Paved The Way For So Many To Be Brave’

Ella Langley , who continues to dominate the Billboard Hot 100 with her 19-week No.

1 hit “Choosin’ Texas,” is among those honoring the late country music icon Dolly Parton , who passed away on Tuesday (Aug.

25) at age 80 following a brief battle with cancer.

“Dolly, thank you for standing up for yourself as an artist, a songwriter, a musician, a producer, an author, a creative, and most importantly, a woman in this industry,” Langley wrote on her Instagram Stories, alongside a photo of Parton.

Langley added, “You paved the way for so many to be brave.

Thank you for being unafraid to show your most authentic self.

The world needed Dolly and will never see another like it.

The gates of heaven just welcomed home a beautiful soul.” Parton, whose legendary career spanned six decades, earned two No.

1 Hot 100 hits, including 1981’s “9 to 5” and 1983’s “Islands In The Stream” with Kenny Rogers.

Parton also earned 25 No.

1 Billboard Hot Country Songs chart hits, including “I Will Always Love You,” “Here You Come Again” and “Jolene.” Parton became a trailblazer, mentor and a model for women artists, breaking barriers and building an extraordinary career empire that spans music, songwriting, film, books, businesses and philanthropic efforts, all by being fearlessly true to herself in her music, her image, her branding, her megawatt personality and her devotion to her family and hometown.

Many other notable women music stars also paid homage to Parton since the news broke of her passing.

Reba McEntire wrote a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, including, “There will never ever be another you … She’s gonna have a blast in heaven singing all her favorite songs with all her family and friends who have gone on before her.” Carrie Underwood also wrote on Instagram, “She’s not gone.

I know exactly where she is.